Mo Wagdy likes to think of Mofest7, April 20-22, as “a film and arts festival wrapped into a wrap party, since it’s about the crew people you’ve worked with all year round,” he says. “And everyone who works in all visual media is welcome to attend.”
Mofest7, formally, is an annual film and arts festival that highlights, inspires and supports Chicago’s finest emerging creative talent, mainly below-the-line crew members.
Says Mofest Community NFP founder/executive director Wagdy, an art department lead and Local 476 member, whose Mini Gorilla produces corporate videos: “We target people who don’t always get a chance to show their creativity and we present it before a large audience.”
Mofest7 had 60 submissions, but since it is a showcase displaying hidden talent and not a competition, “the films filter in and I have to chase people down,” says Wagdy, Not that he minds, as Mofest’s aim is to present the work of mew artists to a large audience.
This year, the audience, at the historical Portage Theatre, is expected to number 800 over the three evenings, an encouraging attendance increase of 20% over last year as word about is getting around.
The non-profit show is produced by Mofest’s enthusiastic corps of 50 committee members and volunteers, “a nice mix of union and non-union people in all different trades,” Wagdy notes.
Among them are art director/production designer Angela Finney and her cadre of 12 set decorators, who painted and constructed a variety of Art Deco pieces that match the 1930s motif of the Portage, and strategically placed throughout the theatre.
Producer Sharon Lomansney curated an impressive array of artwork on display; crew member John Adams assembled the photography gallery and publicist Angela Sheridon helped get the word out.
Saturday’s “wrap party” considered a crew reunion
Saturday is Mofest’s big night, of course, with the famous 6-9 p.m. so-called “wrap party.” “Last year we consumed 400 pounds of food,” Wagdy notes, giving an idea of the popularity of what can be considered a crew reunion.
This year, an abundance of food is being provided by popular crew caterer Fare Adventures, and drinks are courtesy of bar sponsor Half Acre beer and wine from Binney’s.
Then, from 9 p.m. to midnight is the screening of 25 short films and music videos that run from one to 14-minutes. “We keep it short and sweet for our audience,” Wagdy says.
Film submissions include those from Daniel John Harris, Daniel Marcus, Larry Zielgelman, Bryce Fishman, Michael Gabriele, Herman Asph, Joe Lyons, Peter Wiese, Chris Rejano, Jamieson Mulholland, Logan Hall and Eric Almond.
Timely screening of Sean Fahey’s “Bailout!”
Friday night’s 7 p.m. screening of filmmaker Sean Fahey’s “Bailout!” the provocative prize-winning doc about the effect of corporate greed on everyday people is very timely.
On Friday afternoon, the city’s zoning commission will decide on the fate of the Portage theatre: whether it remains as an historical landmark and an important venue for filmmakers, or if it will be rezoned to permit its conversion into a church.
Two narrative features comprise Sunday afternoon’s program starting at 4 p.m.: “Cargo” stars Chicago actor Sayed Badreya and “Playback,” whose production was designed by Merje Beske.
A variety of 10-14 minute shorts round out the program.
Tickets at $25 online and $30 at the door are a bargain, especially for Saturday night alone.
The Portage is located at 4050 N. Milwaukee.
